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Though many still have trouble pronouncing his last name and the instrument he plays, Jake Shimabukuro (she-ma-BOO- koo-row) is becoming recognized as one of the world’s top ukulele (oo-koo-LAY-lay) musicians.
Renowned for lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, Jake views the ukulele as an “untapped source of music with unlimited potential.”
His virtuosity defies label or category. Playing jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco, and rock, Jake’s mission is to show everyone that the ukulele is capable of so much more than only the traditional Hawaiian music many associate it.
GENTLY WEEPS
STREET DATE 9-19-06
At just four years of age, Jake's mother gave him his first lesson. “When I played my first chord I was hooked,” says Jake, “I fell in love with the instrument.” That love grew into a deep passion to create and innovate.
Experimenting with various guitar effect pedals allows Jake to create sounds never thought possible on the tiny four-string, two-octave instrument. A true showman, his performance captivates audiences with intricate strumming and plucking, electrifying, high-energy grooves and smooth, melodic ballads evoking heartfelt emotion.
Evolving from the heavily amplified riffs that earned Jake the reputation as “Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele,” now Jake masterfully extracts the pure “clean” natural acoustic sound of the uke, delicately making a single note smile or cry on his new solo album Gently Weeps (HITCHHIKE RECORDS 1105)
“Recently, I've been touring a lot as a solo artist,” says Jake, “and it was suggested to me that I record an album to directly reflect my live ‘bandless’ set. The songs I chose for this project are tunes I frequently perform at my shows. There are a couple of new ones, but these are mainly songs that I've been playing for a while.”
The highlight of the album is Jake’s cover of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Last year, a video clip of Jake playing this song in Central Park started circulating the internet resulting in emails of support and amazement from across the globe; France, England, Germany, Sweden, and also Australia and Korea where Jake recently signed distribution deals. To date, the video has been viewed over 1.5 million times.
Jake had the honor of meeting Harrison’s widow, Olivia, backstage at his show with the Honolulu Symphony this past November. Afterwards, she described feeling George’s presence with her when Jake played his rendition of George’s Gently Weeps.
From a modest beginning performing at a local Honolulu café, Jake has gone on to play famous venues such as the House of Blues and The Knitting Factory (Los Angeles), The Birchmere (Alexandria, VA), Tipitina’s (New Orleans), Joe’s Pub and B.B. King's Nightclub (NYC), The Bumbershoot Festival (Seattle), The Fuji Rock Festival (Japan) and many others. Touring with Jimmy Buffett in 2005, 2006 and 2007 gave Jake the experience of a lifetime, regularly exposing his virtuosity and amazing stage presence to crowds of over 50,000. Jake’s first national television performance came in December 2005 on NBC’s The Late Show with Conan O'Brien.
In June 2002, Jake became the first ukulele player from Hawaii to sign with Epic Records International/Sony Music International. Three years later, Jake obtained a U.S. distribution deal for his HITCHHIKE RECORDS label.
Selection as the spokesman three years in a row for Hawaii Tourism Japan’s (HTJ) aggressive campaign to market Hawaii to Japan, as well as his frequent tours of the island nation, have made Jake Shimabukuro a household name in Japan. "Rainbow," a track from Walking Down Rainhill, was selected as HTJ’s theme song as well as the official Honolulu Marathon theme song in 2004. In 2006, Gently Weeps track “Beyond the Break” was selected as the Marathon’s theme song and was played as Jake crossed the finish line upon completion of his first marathon run.
Jake’s musical accomplishments are well known throughout the Hawaiian Islands and Japan, though he is perhaps known equally as well for his outgoing personality and warm heart. In his spare time Jake often visits schools to talk with and play music for the children of Hawaii, hopefully inspiring thousands to put their energy into learning about and playing music.
The State of Hawaii recognizes Jake as an outstanding musician and role model for the people of Hawaii. In 2004 Jake was named Hawaii’s goodwill ambassador to Japan and received “The Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation” for being an active voice in U.S.-Japan relations at the grassroots level. In a ceremony held on September 4, 2006 Jake Shimabukuro was appointed as the 160th Okinawa-Uchina Ambassador at the Okinawan State House.
Jake toured with Bela Fleck & the Flecktones (2002, 2005, 2006) and recorded on the band’s Little Worlds (2003) album. Jake is also featured on Ziggy Marley’s Grammy Award winning Love is My Religion (2006) and contributed to the soundtrack of the Jimmy Buffett-produced film, Hoot. This was a priceless experience for Jake and gave him the confidence to score the recently released Japanese independent film HULA GIRL. Two songs from the film score, “Wish on My Star” and “Hula Girl” are bonus tracks on Gently Weeps.
Recognized as a virtuoso not only by his audience, but also by fellow musicians and producers as well, Jake has had the opportunity to perform with and/or open for Diana Krall, Fiona Apple, Bobby McFerrin, John Hiatt, Victor Wooten, Chris Thile, Keller Williams, Tommy Emmanuel, Mike Marshall, Darol Anger, Les Paul, Jamie Cullum, Kaki King, Stanley Clarke, Blues Traveler, Stephen Bishop, John Craven, Hot Buttered Rum, Radiators, Honolulu Symphony, Chance and Mista D of Nashville’s MuzikMafia.
Energy, imagination, and innovation have been Jake’s keys to success. He plans to continue recording, performing, collaborating, and staying happy. “I love what I do. I’m forever thankful for music.”
HITCHHIKE RECORDS
www.jakeshimabukuro.com
www.myspace.com/officialjakeshimabukuro
DISCOGRAPHY
CD
Gently Weeps (2006)
Dragon (2005)
Walking Down Rainhill (2004)
Crosscurrent (2003)
Sunday Morning (2002)
DVD
Million Miles Away (2005)
Play Loud Ukulele (2004)
Publicity
Michael Bloom Media Relations
323.258.6342
musicpr@earthlink.net
